A HEARTBROKEN Scot is travelling to the US to the funeral of his wife who died in a shooting rampage at a bar.
Kellone Fallon, known as Kelly, was one of five people shot dead during a botched robbery at a restaurant in Denver, Colorado, last week.
Her husband, Tam Hill, from Edinburgh, had spoken to her on the phone just hours before she lost her life.
The “bubbly” 44-year-old was at a bar and grill in the early hours of October 17 when it was raided by three brothers.
Kelly, originally from California, was in the States to sort out problems with her visa and was about to return to Tam in Edinburgh.
Distraught Tam spoke to his wife on the phone just five hours before she was killed and was scared when he couldn’t get back through to her.
He said: “I’m heartbroken over it and I really can’t believe what has happened. I spoke with her on the phone that day at 6.30pm and we talked about the date for her final settlement visa and how we would see each other again soon.
“Like always she was full of life and very bubbly. She said that she had been listening to the presidential debate and that she liked Obama.
“A few hours later I tried calling her again but I got no reply – it was then that I saw on Facebook post from our friend Tom that asked anyone who had seen her to get in touch asap.
“Straight away I rang my best friend and housemate Karis and it was she who broke the news to me – she was such a beauty and so kind.”
Tam and Kelly met while on holiday in Las Vegas four years ago. They married in 2009 where the pair then moved to the Meadowbank area of the Capital.
Kelly, a mother and grandmother of two, worked on the Chanel counter for Boots in the city’s Gyle shopping centre.
Tam, who works at Torness power station in East Lothian, added: “We met at the Carnaval Bar and Grill just off the strip [in Vegas]. It was Novmber 1, 2008 – I’ll never forget that date.
“Kelly’s favourite band Wonderboogie were playing that night – she loved to dance and would dance all night if she could.
“She left for Denver the next day but 24hours later she had hopped on a plane to come and see me again.
“She always said she loved my eyes and my accent was the sexiest ever but she was the looker – a real beauty, she had a real sparkle to her.”
Friend Karis Duran-Holam, who broke the news to Tam, said Kelly was someone who liked to “live life to the fullest”.
She said: “Kelly was a precious bundle of joy to her family and son David.
“She loved to travel and experience new adventures and made several trips to Europe and Hawaii and enjoyed Las Vegas.
“I will miss her dearly but she really did live life to the fullest.”
Co-workers of Kelly held a vigil at the top of Arthur’s Seat on Wednesday to celebrate what would have been her 45th birthday and released more than 30 Chinese lanterns into the sky.
Miriam Lang, who helped organise the vigil, said: “She was the typical loud American – really in your face, you couldn’t miss her. But she was bubbly and friendly.
“It is so sad. We’ve been told her favourite spot in Edinburgh was the old ruined castle at St Margaret’s Loch so that is where we chose to release the lanterns.”
The US family of Kelly released a statement that read: “We are speechless in our expression of sadness and disbelief at the heinous acts.
“Her enthusiasm for life extended to all that knew her and her warm demeanour caused people to smile.
“She welcomed everyone with warmth – she and her beautiful spirit will be sorely missed.”
A memorial fund has been set up to help pay for the £4,000 funeral costs.
The memorial service was on Thursday evening at Calvary Temple 200 South University Blvd in Denver.
The three men involved in the failed robbery – Joseph Nathanael Hill, Lynell Jonathan Hill, and Dexter Lewis Jr aged 27, 24, and 22 – have been charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, robbery and arson.
